Handtinted studio portrait of a blue-eyed young woman with beauty mark. Her wavy light hair is cut short with a side bang. The necklace of jeweled hearts blends well with her yellow top. This portrait is of Deanna Marie Reichl, daughter of Mrs. D.N. Smith and Frank Reichl. Her engagement to George Raymond Haskins was announced in the May 5, 1957, edition of the News Tribune. The Lincoln High School graduates had not yet set a wedding date. ALBUM 15. (TNT 5-5-57, D-4)

Reichl, Deanna Marie; Necklaces; Hairstyles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Jack McLin, advisor, stands with Rifle Club members outside the steps of Lincoln High School on April 12, 1957. The Rifle Club at Lincoln had a long tradition of safety in shooting. It was established in 1927 and since then, had had no record of accidents. Each member was careful when shooting, in practice or in matches, and all new members were instructed by old members on the proper use of firearms. Generally the club shot at a range of 50 yards, nearly always holding matches indoors. Lincoln participated in a league with teams from Stadium, Clover Park, Everett, Franklin Pierce, Sumner and Puyallup. The Girls' team finished first in its league. Photograph ordered by the Lincolnian yearbook. (1957 Lincolnian, p. 110)

Rifle Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; McLin, Jack; Rifles;

This sign stood at the Gig Harbor side of the road as drivers approached the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1957. The cost for a car and driver was 50 cents with each passenger costing an additional 10 cents. Tolls were charged on the Narrows Bridge from the first day that the 2nd bridge opened on October 14, 1950 as a means to pay for and maintain the bridge. In 1957, the average salary for a school teacher in the United States was $4,085, a coke cost 5 cents, and a copy of Life Magazine at the news stand was 25 cents. The toll on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge was removed in an official ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on May 14, 1965. According to information supplied by patron, the gentleman setting up the cones is Mark L. Hamilton, a former character actor in Hollywood and later Washington State Highways Department employee. Photograph ordered by Milton Weinberg Advertising Agency. TPL-6621

Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Bridges--Tacoma--1950-1960; Suspension bridges--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Mayor John Anderson, in knee length coat, extends a dollar to a Cerebral Palsy representative as the United Cerebral Palsy sought donations for their annual drive. Standing next to Mayor Anderson is possibly Robert Edlund, general chairman of the Tacoma-Pierce County Celebral Palsy Assn. A banner "For Your Golden Deed" is draped across a tall Cerebral Palsy display. Local headquarters of the Cerebral Palsy Assn. were at 745 Broadway. Its goal was to reach $25,000 in donations. The national goal was 11 million. Photograph ordered by United Cerebral Palsy. (TNT 5-5-57, A-17)

United Cerebral Palsy (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.;

ca. 1957. This unidentified plant was being constructed by Paul Hardeman, Inc.'s Gill Division, Los Angeles, in 1957. Smokestacks are already up as well as assorted pipes. Photograph ordered by Paul Hardeman, Inc.

Building construction; Paul Hardeman, Inc.;

Exterior Gaffney Funeral Home. The Gaffney Funeral Home, owned by Theodore B. Gaffney, had been in business since 1905. The mortuary had been located at 1002 Yakima Avenue South since 1932. The brick and concrete building with cast stone trim had been designed by architects Heath, Gove & Bell and constructed by West End Exchange, with ample parking facilities available. According to the 1957 City Directory, the mortuary endorsed and recommended the Purple Cross Plan for prepaid funeral expenses. Photograph ordered by Gaffney Funeral Home.

Gaffney Funeral Home (Tacoma); Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Aerial photograph of the new 11 acre plant for Certain-teed Products Corp. at 1718 Thorne Rd. in the port industrial area, the only asphalt roofing products plant in Washington. Certain-teed manufactured a full line of asphalt roll roofing materials and shingles. Edward M. Costello was the plant manager. The large building is the warehouse with the factory building in the center. The smaller building behind is the machine shop and locker room. The three stack structure on the right holds the asphalt preparation stills. To the left of the stillyard is a 300 horse power boiler. The Tacoma district sales office will soon be housed in an office created in the northeast corner of the warehouse. The plant went into full production in June of 1955 when it shipped its first load of roofing materials. It employed 30, with plans to expand to 90 employees. (TNT 2/20/1955, pg. B-8, 7/8/1955, pg. A-8)

Certain-teed Products Corp. (Tacoma); Building materials industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Twistick Co.; interiors. The woman appears to be working with hot dogs or sausages, putting them on a square rack object with pull out shelves. The square rack object then rolls into a large square metal object.

Frankfurters; Sausages; Twistick Co.;

The Twistick Co.; interiors. The woman appears to be working with hot dogs or sausages, putting them on a square rack object with pull out shelves. The square rack object then rolls into a large square metal object.

Frankfurters; Sausages; Twistick Co.;

Representatives of the Washington State Licensed Beverage Association with posters for the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes was an annual fundraiser by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to provide money for polio research and treatment. These posters had slots so that dimes could be inserted as a donation. The posters were placed in the taverns for donations. The filled posters were then turned in to the Foundation and replaced by empty ones. The fund raising campaign was a great success.

Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Poliomyelitis--Prevention; March of Dimes (Tacoma); National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (Tacoma); Washington State Licensed Beverage Association (Tacoma);

Southgate housing subdivision for Sherman L. Rowland, contractor. Sherman Rowland was a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association. He was developing one of the newest suburban parks, a huge track west of Highway 99 and opposite Max Frolic's cafe. The track of land, formerly a large private estate, was being developed into 300 plus private homes adorned with mature trees in a park like setting. Development began in mid 1954; and by 1955, 70 Rowland built homes were complete and no two were alike. Future plans included an elementary school and easy access to the Lakes district. TPL-8314

Housing developments--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Langendorf United Bakeries. Overall exteriors of Lincoln Heights for Comfort, Davis & Blangy, Inc., insurance and real estate agents. Langendorf opened at this location in 1954. The new plant covered 17,000 square feet and also had room for expansion. The new ultra modern building was constructed by the Ray B. Kelly Co. for a cost of $150,000. It featured year round temperature control for maintaining top quality in baked goods.

Langendorf United Bakeries (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Langendorf United Bakeries. In 1954, Langendorf invested in a new ultra modern plant. The plant would cover 17,000 square feet and be temperature controlled year round to maintain the quality of the baked goods. Ray B. Kelly Co. was the contractor for the $150,000 facility. The site also had room for expansion.

Langendorf United Bakeries (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma--1950-1960;

National Bank of Washington, exterior of new bank located at 54th & Pacific. Lea, Pearson & Richards served as architects on this brick, tile and aluminum building. Bonnell Construction Co. was the general contractor. The 40 x 100 foot building was of modern design with a Roman brick and ceramic tile exterior. The north side of the building was almost entirely plate glass and polished aluminum. The building had two convenient entrances- Pacific Ave. and the north side of the building and a covered walk extended around the building. The large parking area had room for 70 cars. The lobby was 3,600 sq. feet with room for tellers, officer's quarters, new accounts, conference rooms, bookkeeping and a modern safe deposit vault. The vault was fire and earthquake proof. The lobby had brown striped mahogany woodwork and counters of frosted walnut formica. The mezzanine had a large lounge and a compact kitchen for employees and the partial basement housed record storage and the heating plant. A.M. (Lee) Nordi was branch manager. The bank had an Open House for the public on the afternoon of January 29th, which promised a behind the scenes look at the bank. (TNT 1/27/1955, pg. A-5)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington; yard employees' Christmas party. The lone female at this gathering laughs out loud while the man behind her seems to be offering to help her with her soup. The Pennsalt plant manufactured chemicals used in industrial processing, sanitation and also insect irradication. The company later changed its name to Penwalt.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma)--Employees; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Presentation of award to the president of U.S. Plywood, Tony Antoville (on right.) Photograph ordered by the DFPA. United States Plywood Corp. was one of the first companies to build after the industry was decontrolled. It opened a 36 million foot capacity plant at Mapleton, Oregon in 1948. By 1955, the firm controlled four plants with a total capacity of 342 million feet annually.

Plywood; Lumber industry--Seattle--1950-1960; United States Plywood Corp. (Seattle); Antoville, Tony;

Aerial of the Port of Tacoma and Tideflats, Commencement Bay and various waterways. To the right lies the city of Tacoma with the Eleventh Street Bridge crossing over the City Waterway, followed left to right by the Puyallup Waterway, the almost square Sitcum Waterway, the Port Industrial Waterway with the Port of Tacoma and its piers on the right and the Naval Station with the moth-balled "jeep" carriers on the left and the Hylebos Waterway. The Commencement Bay harbor, 4 1/2 miles wide at the entrance and 2 1/2 miles long with an average depth of 180 feet, is judged to be one of the five best natural harbors in the world. TPL-2252

Port of Tacoma (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Aerial photographs; Commencement Bay (Wash.); Harbors--Tacoma;

Sigma Chi sweethearts group. The "Sweetheart of Sigma Chi" would be announced at the Delta Phi Chapter's annual formal Sweetheart Ball at the Lake Wilderness Lodge. Sigma Chi was a men's social fraternity at the College of Puget Sound. The sweetheart candidates were, left to right, Roberta Elson, from Kirkland, of Chi Omega, Alayne Fletcher, from Olympia, of Alpha Phi, Joyce Tyler, of Marysville, of Delta Delta Delta, Diane Colwell, of Seattle, of Pi Beta Phi and Marilyn Lyons, of Auburn, Independents. Roberta Elson, the blonde blue-eyed freshman coed, was crowned the Sweetheart of 1955. (TNT 02-20-1955, pg. D-6, 2-26-1955, pg. 1)

Sigma Chi (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Elson, Roberta; Fletcher, Alayne; Tyler, Joyce; Colwell, Diane; Lyons, Marilyn;

Knock down testing of signs for the DFPA. The testing of the signs is demonstrated in this time exposure print which shows the effect of the sign being hit by a heavy moving object. Vandalism of road signs had plagued highway engineers for many years. The Douglas Fir Plywood Association decided to test the different sign materials against attacks by bullets, bats, bottles and other road side hazards. Fir plywood proved to be the most "vandalism proof" material.

Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Testing; Product Inspection; Plywood;

Results of the "crash test" on traffic signs of steel, plywood, aluminum and glass fiber. This picture seems to be demonstrating the results of impact on the corners of the signs. This photo is from a series documenting the tests instituted by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association to test highway sign materials endurance against vandalism. The signs were shot, knocked over, bent and hammered and fir plywood emerged the winner.

Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Testing; Product inspection; Signs (Notices);

In January of 1955, a sign tester took aim at a rifle range on seven "Slow" signs made of plywood, aluminum, steel and fiberglass to see which would withstand bullet holes the best. The testing was neccessary because signs posted in the rural areas are frequently used for target practice. Fir plywood signs emerged as the most bullet hole damage resistant. Photograph ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Testing; Product inspection; Signs (Notices); Rifle ranges; Target practice--Tacoma; Targets (Sports);

Sign tests at the rifle range for the DFPA. A marksman takes aim at the signs made of different materials, testing how each holds up under fire.

Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Testing; Product inspection; Signs (Notices); Rifle ranges; Target practice--Tacoma; Targets (Sports);

Birchfield Boiler; heat exchanger and casing. This huge condenser is one of a pair manufactured by Birchfield Boiler for the St. Regis Paper and Pulp plant. The condenser is used to recover waste heat from pulp digesters. Because they come in contact with corrosive substances, the tubes are stainless steel. There are 1184 of them, more than 3 1/2 miles of tubing in each unit. The shells and ends are made of 1 1/2 inch steel plate. Each condenser was valued at $25,000. (TNT 3/13/1955, pg. B-17)

Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boilers; Boiler industry--Tacoma; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This is how the view from St. Helens and 7th looking south appeared in January of 1955. Looking right to left, are the Berk Apartments above Don Harter's Drycleaning, Landis Shoe Repair, Trovani's Junior Bootery, and Mousley's Cantilever Shoes, followed by the new United Pacific Insurance Co. Building, and the towering Medical Arts Building. In the distance, across South 9th Street, is the Music Box Theatre. The United Pacific Insurance Company building was built in 1954 and opened in January of 1955.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Health care facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office buildings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Berk Apartments (Tacoma); United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma);

Interior of Farley's Florists. The floral shop was owned and operated by William B. and Teresa Farley. They did wedding and funeral arrangements, as well as selling potted plants and gifts. The 2001 phone book still lists Farley's at this location. Floral arrangements cover counters and shelves. The cold storage unit is topped by a potted plant box. A suspended curved ceiling piece lends drama to the room. This shop was designed to operate as a modern floral shop with easy in & easy out parking and floor to ceiling glass windows to make the most of floral displays. (TNT 2/1/1955, pg. 7)

Farley's Florists (Tacoma); Florist shops--Tacoma;

ca. 1955. H.D. Baker Co. Inc., business machines. The family owned company was celebrating its 50th anniversary at this new location. The company's neon sign advertises typewriters, desks, safes, office machines and cash registers. Signs in the window promote Smith-Corona typewriters. Founded in 1905 by H.D. Baker, the company sold office machines, furniture and equipment. They were proud of their new central location, with free and abundant parking; part of their expansion program. With the increased size of their new location, they now had a new department. They offered office plans combining equipment, furniture, floor coverings and interior decoration. The company had 17 employees, including 5 mechanics for service and maintenance. It was under the direction of Joe H. Baker, son of the founder and general manager. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. A-10)

H.D. Baker Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Office equipment & supplies;

Pergola at 10527 Lake Steilacoom Dr. S.W., home of Robert J. Lloyd; ordered by Mutual Fir Column. Mutual Fir Column Co. were lumber manufacturers, located at 2000 Taylor Way and owned by Mr. Lloyd. The home appears to be a brick Tudor style.

Lloyd, Robert J.--Homes & haunts; Mutual Fir Column Co. (Tacoma); Pergolas;

Different views of streets around Medical Arts Building. This view is from the intersection of 9 th & St. Helens looking north. On the left hand side of the street are the Bamford Apartments over Peterson's Photo Studio and Norm's Coffee Bar, followed by the Singer Sewing Center, the Medical Arts building and the United Pacific Insurance Co. On the right hand side of the street is the Bostwick building, with Reed's Hats on the lower floor and the Brant Hotel upstairs. This Classical- Romanesque structure was built in 1889 and is the site where, in 1893, the custom originated of removing hats during the national anthem.

Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Health care facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office buildings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Reed's Hats (Tacoma); Brant Hotel (Tacoma);

System Auto Parks; interiors of motor ramp garage. Cars head up a ramp to find a parking place in one of the stalls of the garage. The lot appears to be full on this floor. The car will probably need to head up the ramp at the rear of the picture to the next floor. The structure was originally built in 1925 with 7 stories and a capacity of 325 cars. System Auto Parks was both a garage and a facility for washing, oil changes and lubrication.

Parking garages--Tacoma--1950-1960; System Auto Parks (Tacoma);

System Auto Parks; exteriors of motoramp garage. Cars line up to park in the multi story structure on Commerce. Clarence Espinosa was the manager in 1955. The structure was originally built in 1925 as Motoramp Garage with 5 stories and a capacity of 325 cars. System Auto Parks was both a garage and a facility for washing, oil changes and lubrication.

Parking garages--Tacoma--1950-1960; System Auto Parks (Tacoma); Motoramp Garage (Tacoma);